The Idea of North

the idea of north

“Acapella is sometimes thought of as being minimalist, but when you can sing and entertain like The Idea of North, a band would just get in the way…”

– James Morrison

The Idea of North is Australia’s foremost contemporary vocal ensemble and ranks very highly on the world stage. The group studied at two of Australia’s best music schools – two of the group at The Canberra School of Music and two at the Elder Conservatorium in Adelaide. They have also studied and worked with some of the truly great singers, arrangers and vocal groups including The Manhattan Transfer, Tuck and Patti, Gene Puerling (The Hi-Lo’s, Singers Unlimited) and Mark Murphy. They have also worked with some of the finest a cappella ensembles in the world today including: The Real Group (Sweden), Rajaton (Finland), M-Pact (USA), and Michael Bubles’ vocal group, Naturally 7.

Recognised by many major awards and recording successes, including the 2013 and 2010 ARIA award for ‘Best Jazz Album’ and winners of The Harmony Sweepstakes, the largest international a cappella competition in the world. They have performed at major events in such arenas as The Lincoln Centre in New York, The Kennedy Centre in Washington DC and similar venues in many other countries. To hear and see this group in live performance is an unforgettable experience.

The group has appeared on stage with some of Australia’s greatest jazz musicians, including James Morrison and Don Burrows, and in concert series and festivals alongside a number of international artists such as The New York Voices (USA), The Flying Pickets (UK), and Take 6 (USA). The Idea of North frequently performs to their own sell-out audiences around the world and also at corporate functions, festivals and large multi-bill concerts, on their own and in collaboration with other musicians, both at home in Australia and overseas in the US, Europe and Asia.

Now in the 22nd year since the group’s inception, The Idea of North is now Australia’s longest-standing and most awarded contemporary a cappella group in history.

Patron

I have always loved singing and my musical journey has been truly enhanced through Jazz Singers Jam Night which has created many opportunities for me to sing, perform and record across a range of jazz styles and ensembles.

I love seeing the confidence and creativity of other singers grow as they share the stage with some of the world’s finest musicians, engage with an appreciative audience and catch up with other singers at the monthly jam at the Brisbane Jazz Club.

I am delighted to support the second Brisbane Vocal Jazz Festival 2017 as one way of saying a big thank you to Ingrid James and the Brisbane Jazz Club for all the encouragement, guidance and support they give to jazz singers across all genres and generations.